During Black Summer bushfires Gippsland residents called on neighbours to check they were alive. As telecommunication companies switch off 3G, locals like Jeffe Aronson fear for the future.
Telstra customers living in remote Victoria are worried they won't be able to call triple-0 when the 3G network is switched off.A telecommunications expert says customers who don't already have a 4G signal should contact their provider to avoid disconnection.
Jeffe Aronson says he wants Telstra to guarantee his area won't be cut off after the 3G network shuts down."Then after the fires were over, we're wondering, 'Is our neighbour Jimmy OK? Is our neighbour Mark okay? Is anybody injured? Do we need to get an ambulance?'"During emergencies, we need that mobile service.
"What I'd like to have from Telstra is somebody in a position of authority, that can put in writing that says, 'Don't worry, anybody that has 3G now will get 4G'," Mr Aronson said.Mr and Mrs Aronson both volunteer for the local Country Fire Authority brigade, which often responds to emergencies including road accidents and fires.
"Rest assured, our engineers are working very very hard to ensure that's done before we switch the 3G network off."RMIT telecommunications expert Associate Professor Mark Gregory said although the switchover to 4G and 5G should benefit consumers in the long-term, some customers may temporarily lose connectivity.
"It will only be through customers working out that they've got a connectivity problem and then talking to the telcos that we're actually going to start to see these issues resolved."Australian Communications Consumer Action Network acting CEO Gareth Downing said customers needed to be aware of the devices that would no longer work once 3G is switched off.
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